Hearings live blog: Lahbib, Albuquerque, Kadis, Síkela, Kubilius, Várhelyi

Today is the second full day of hearings, running from 9:00 AM to 9:30 PM.

On the agenda: grilling Belgium’s Hadja Lahbib, Portugal’s Maria Luís Albuquerque, Cyprus’s Costa Kadis, the Czech Republic’s Jozef Síkela, Lithuania’s Andrius Kubilius, and Hungary’s Olivér Várhelyi.

The hearings, however, will be overshadowed by the backdrop of Trump leading in the US elections.

Here's yesterday's live blog covering McGrath, Zaharieva, Jørgensen, Šuica, Roswall, and Brunner.

For Monday's coverage of the hearings of Šefčovič, Micallef, Hansen and Tzitzikostas read our finished live blog here.

22:14 Signing off, see you tomorrow for another four hearings.

22:08 Várhelyi ends - will he scrape through?

Várhelyi ends by reeling off the three main bits of legislation he aims to deliver: the Critical Medicines Act, a bio-tech act, and revised medical devices legislation.

He promised a plan on fighting anti-microbial resistance and one on cardiovascular health. He reiterated that animal welfare had to be "economically viable".

Going into the hearings, Várhelyi was dubbed the least likely to get through, due to gaffes in his first term as enlargement commissioner, and due to antipathy toward Hungary's far-right government, which proposed him. MEPs didn't take him to task for his past fiascoes in Palestine and Bosnia, but they did give him a hard time on EU values.

Várhelyi answered the questions with a brass neck, but was it enough?

21:54 Kubilius is a wrap

Kubilius ends his grilling by MEPs with an ominous statement. "If you want peace, prepare for war."

It remains to be seen if his case has convinced MEPs. Ideological differences aside, his command of the policies appeared solid with an extended round of applause by MEPs.

21:46 Várhelyi booed on women's rights

Nicolae Ștefănuță, a Romanian green MEP, draws blood with another attack on Várhelyi's ruling party values at home.

"In your country women have to listen to the heartbeat of the foetus, at the most vulnerable moment in their lives, destroying their mental health," Ștefănuță says.

Várhelyi replies: "I think I've been very clear about women's health," drawing jeers from the audience. "Yes. I have," he goes on. "I've always been on the of side women, but, again, abortion is not an EU competence," he says.

21:39 Várhelyi: Anti-vaxxers grind axe

Christine Anderson, a German far-right MEP, voices anger that Várhelyi won't take her fears on vaccine side-effects seriously and urges him to compensate "victims" of EMA-approved drugs.

"I'm happy to sit down with the 'victims of the vaccines' if you think it will help ... but I'm still convinced of the safety and efficacy of all vaccines authorised by the EMA," he says. "If you look at the broad numbers, it's clear they're safe and effective," he adds

21:38 Kubilius: Gender mainstreaming in defence?

Kubilius is pressed on how he intends to gender mainstream the space and defence industry.

“I don’t know what are specific problems in defence industry if you compare with other industries on gender mainstreaming,” he says.

The immediate needs in the sector is about the lack of skills and the shortage of students, Kubilius says, yet acknowledges he’ll address any gender issues, if needed.

21:36 Várhelyi: Sorry, not sorry

Emma Fourreau, a 25-year old French left-winger, doesn't hold back, calling Várhelyi a "misogynist who is remote-controlled by [Hungarian prime minister] Viktor Orbán". "You say you're sensitive to women because you live with women - it's like a racist saying he's not racist because he has a black friend," she adds.

She reminds him that he once called MEPs "idiots" on an open mike in 2023 and that his government's "regime is clamping down on judicial independence and human rights".

Várhelyi appears unfazed. "I have a mission letter and tasks to deliver, given me by the president of commission, which I will deliver," he said. He said his "idiots" remark had not referred to MEPs, but he still apologised for the misunderstanding more broadly speaking. "I regret what has happened I can only offer an apology. I hope you accept it," he said.

21:25 Kubilius: Peace needs to be defended

Kubilius says he can’t understand how one can guarantee peace on the European continent if one is not ready to defend it.

“If you look back to when we were enjoying a so-called peace dividend after the 1990s, when everybody thought that there will be no aggressors anymore, and we made some kind of strategic mistake,” he says.

Kubilius says the return of totalitarian regimes, citing Russia’s war-mongering president Vladimir Putin, compels Europe to defend itself and increase its defence industry capabilities.

“You can have peace, according to Putin, when everybody around is surrendering,” he says.

Kubilius says he is not willing to have peace on Putin’s terms, citing his life-experience in Soviet era Russia.

21:23 Várhelyi: Friend of science

When one left-wing MEP claimed Covid vaccines had made 11 million people in Germany unwell, Várhelyi turned on her.

"When it comes to side-effects I think we have credible science in the EMA [European Medicines Agency]," he said. "I'm quite surprised about this number – 11m people in Germany are having side-effects? ... this is a staggering number, I don't know where it comes from", he added.

"To overcome future pandemics without vaccines is impossible," he also said.

21:08 What are Várhelyi's values?

MEPs' questions have been probing whether Várhelyi cares about women, children, animals, and the environment. He claims to care about them all, but the two themes he keeps returning to is how to make European bio-science firms more profitable and how to make farmers better off.

Help for businesses and farmers are also hobby horses of the populist party in Hungary that proposed him. "Clinical trials in Europe is 100 days more than in the US – 100 days in business is more than eternity", he said on drug regulation, for instance. "We have to help them [industry] to stay in Europe".

21:06 Kubilius: Joint procurements on defence

Green Lithuanian MEP and former European Commissioner Virginijus Sinkevičius asks if Kubilius intends to set an obligatory mandatory joint procurement on defence.

Kubilius appears to skirt the question.“I think we need to have clear numbers about our capabilities, about our needs, so that we could understand what kind of armaments we need, so that we could procure them jointly,” he says.

20:58 Kubilius: More acronyms than tanks

German socialist MEP Tobias Cremer says Europe appears better at producing acronyms, citing various programmes, than producing tanks.

“You said that you want to streamline the governance of the EU defence sector. So my question is, how are you planning to do so concretely,” asks Cremer.

Kubilius says that while the governance issue is important, he can’t give a precise answer because “my portfolio and institution of defence commissioner is a totally new one.”

20:58 Várhelyi shows sovereignist roots

When asked if he supported extending EU powers on health policy, Várhelyi echoed the nation-state first ideology of Hungary's ruling party, Fidesz.

"I am a great supporter of the European Union, where it can make a difference on the ground", he said, but added "health is a competence of member states".

"Yes. Maybe more could be done at EU level," he said, referring to vaccine-buying as an example. But he didn't sound as though he wanted to fight for greater EU powers. "I believe in working bit by bit," he said.

20:51 Várhelyi 'sensitive' to women's rights

Danish liberal MEP Stine Bosse needles Várhelyi on women's rights, asking if he'd support using EU money for women to leave conservative member states to go to more liberal ones to have an abortion.

Várhelyi doesn't answer the question directly, but claims to be attuned to female needs.

"I do think I understand what women’s rights entail, I’m subject to it every year [sic]. I'm very sensitive about it", he says, adding that abortion is not an EU competence, and to make it so, would require breaking open the treaty.

20:41 Kubilius: Defence bonds

Kubilius questions if there is enough money in the EU budget to cover security and defence needs. He was asked about defence bonds to shore up funds but wouldn’t commit.

“They are speaking about defence bonds with European budget, like a guarantee, which was done during the pandemic,” he says, noting other proposals are also being discussed.

20:38 Várhelyi appears not to care about hedgehogs

Left German MEP Sebastian Everding quips about Várhelyi only mentioning animal welfare in the final two minutes of his opening remarks: "I am delighted we’ll have a commissioner for animal welfare, but I was worried whether you were going to be it, until the last two minutes of your speech."

Among other questions, he asks Várhelyi if he will extend his protection to the European hedgehog. Varhelyi did not answer, leaving hedgehogs all over the EU in uncertainty.

20:38 Várhelyi more interested in farmers than animals

Time and time again, when asked about animal welfare, Várhelyi circles back round to talk about farmers' welfare instead.

"It's very clear when we're talking about farmed animals we also have to talk about farmers ... so they can achieve better conditions," he says. He is not against "mass-scale animal farming" because "this puts food on our table," he says.

20:29 Kubilius: A King without a Kingdom

Kubilius says his position is like a defence minister without an army, citing a description of his portfolio by the New York Times.

"I joke that some kings or some ministers have an army, but they do not have guns. I am pretending to be that guy who is responsible for guns," he says.

20:16 Kubilius: Multiple shields

Aside from the EU’s proposed €500bn air defence shield, Kubilius also mentions plans for a north-eastern border shield that will also cost billions.

“It’s not only a physical shield, but also an electronic shield,” he says of the hypothetical north-eastern border shield.

“We are talking also about what we could call, you know, a cyber shield,” he says later on.

20:14 Várhelyi on 'animal dignity'

Anne-Sophie Frigout, a French MEP from the Várhelyi-friendly Patriots for Europe group, asks him for more details on how he will protect "animal dignity" – for instance, by seeking alternatives to animal testing in science, and by curbing religious rituals (kosher and halal) in the slaughter of animals.

But Várhelyi appears tone deaf, with a reply on the need to make pesticides cheaper instead. He calls ritual slaughter "a very difficult social dilemma" and "a very thorny topic", but gives no indication of his views on how to regulate this issue.

20:12 Kubilius: We are not competing with Nato

Kubilius say Nato’s role is to develop military defence plans and is a high military command.“We are not going into that area, but we can come with what I call our added value on resources, on capabilities. We can raise money,” he says.

20:05 Kubilius: Piles of weapons?

Kubilius says creating stocks of arms, from a defence and industry point of view, is critical.

He cites the failed promise of 1 million rounds of ammunition for Ukraine given the depletion of stocks among EU states.

"Member states do not have industries... [they] are not able to produce immediately. So in order to avoid such kind of, you know, supply crisis, that is why it will be good to look into, also to know possibilities of stocking piles,” he says.

20:04 Várhelyi promises to be tough on Hungary, if need be

Italian socialist Camilla Laureti notes that: "You were proposed by a government that allegedly channelled EU funds to its friends", referring to agricultural subsidies.

Várhelyi says that while farming subsidies aren't in his portfolio, he would crack down on abuse in Hungary as in any other EU state.

"The rules will be enforced with full force, whichever the member state," he says.

19:50 Kubilius: Elon Musk satellites

With Musk having launched some 6,000 satellites, Kubilius is pressed on how the EU intends to compete.

He cites EU’s multi-billion secure satellite constellation known as Iris2. Although first announced in 2022, Iris2 was still at the procurement phase as of this summer, and will reportedly not provide services until 2030.

19:48 Várhelyi quizzed on sex

Second question, coming from the socialists, also designed to make Várhelyi uncomfortable: Where does he stand on abortion, LGBTI rights, and trans-rights in the health sector?

Várhelyi tries to fudge the answer by referring to basic human freedoms being enshrined in the Charter of Fundamental Rights. "We have different solutions member state by member state and this is the choice of society", he says.

He keeps his answer short.

19:44 Kubilius: Stop obsessing over the US

Kubilius says the EU needs to focus on strengthening "our defence capabilities" and stop spending "too much time" discussing US politics.

19:41 Várhelyi already under attack for Hungarian vaccine behaviour

Peter Liese, a centre-right German MEP, goes for the throat with the first question of the night: "We hope you're not responsible for another pandemic. But you might be, and the government you represent was very critical of the European response and they negotiated with Russia for another vaccine [Sputnik]".

Várhelyi says it' "very clear" only the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has the authority to clear vaccines for use in the bloc. "I will want to rely on the work of the EMA in future as well," he adds.

Liese won't let it go: he follows up to ask if it was mistake the Hungarian government vaccinated people with the non-EMA approved Sputnik vaccine? Várhelyi claims that in "exceptional circumstances", national-level "prior-authorisations" may be allowed. He looks uncomfortable.

19:37 Kubilius: 'Peace' commissioner?

Left-wing Belgian MEP Marc Botenga is critical of the need for a defence "military" commissioner, when a commissioner for social affairs and employment is missing from Von der Leyen’s team.

"Well, you can call me commissioner for peace, not commissioner for militarisation," counters Kubilius, to a round of applause.

Kubilius says his portfolio focuses on defence. He also cites Nato defence plans and the need for an additional 49 military brigades.

19:30 Várhelyi: Ran out of time for animals

Várhelyi apologised to the chairman for having run out of his allotted time, before he had even spoken of animal welfare.

He continued to speak anyway, with a vague commitment to improving animal welfare in agriculture via a consultation with farmers, before moving on to other promises, such as reducing food waste and pesticide regulation.

19:29 Várhelyi: Critical Medicines Act

Pledges a “Critical Medicines Act within the first 100 days as a priority action”, to improve supply chain security and boost medical companies in Europe. Promises a revision of pharmaceutical laws, a new European bio-tech act, investment in preventive medicines, and to reduce the regulatory burden in the field of data and AI in the medical sector. Overall, he is more business-friendly than patient-focused. But he also promises to crack down on children’s access to novel tobacco products and to investigate the adverse mental health effects of excessive use of social media.

19:25 Kubilius: In a simulation, Russia could occupy Germany in 10 days.

Kubilius says intelligence services predict that Russian troops marching towards Germany in 2028 could occupy it within 10 days if there is no Nato support and if spending on defence and military remains on par to today’s levels.

19:24 Kubilius: Trump threat to pull out of Nato?

“We need to spend more, but not because that is demand from [US] president [Donald] Trump, but because of [Russian president Vladimir] Putin,” says Kubilius. Before 2022, spending by EU member states was around €200bn per year, which has since increased to around €350bn, he says.

19:15 Kubilius: EU air defence shield

Kubilius says such a plan would cost around €500bn. “The question will be, in which stages we can start to do that, and which technologies we shall us use,” he says.

19:14 Kubilius: Russia’s war machine

“Russians can produce during six months, everything, what [the] German army has in their stocks. That should be a warning signal to all of us,” he says.

19:13 Várhelyi: ‘Proud’ to be doing health and animals

Olivér Várhelyi’s hearing has begun. It’s a step down for him from his previous portfolio, of enlargement, to be dealing with health and animal welfare, reflecting how unpopular his far-right political party, Fidesz, has become in the EU. But he says: “I’m very proud and honoured I was designated by Ursula von der Leyen as commissioner for health and animal welfare”. He claims to have an affinity to the portfolio because he comes from Szeged, in Hungary, whose university produced two Nobel prize-winning scientists. “Health policy was always present in my different career steps”, he adds, reeling off pharmaceutical laws he had worked on as Hungary’s former EU ambassador. Várhelyi focuses much more on health and life science firms than animal welfare, a subject which he calls “very close to our citizens’ hearts” (if not his own). He sloganises about the need to “cut red tape ... unleash full potential ... help our citizens”. Promises to invest in preventive health, increase security of supply of medicines in Europe, and maintain top food safety and animal welfare standards.

19:04 Kubilius: Space money

Kubilius says the global market for the space industry in the next 10 years will be larger than €1 trillion. Europe’s fragmentary regulatory landscape complicates the innovation for European Space startups, he says. As for the stalled space law, first promised by the previous Ursula von der Leyen commission, Kubilius says it will help create a single market for space and provide a common framework for security, safety, and sustainability.

18:47 Kubilius: US looks to China, leaving EU behind

Kubilius lists four challenges. First, he says the US is likely to increase focus on the strategic challenges posed by China. “This longer term shift necessities a more self-reliant European defence structure,” he says. Second challenge: defence spending. “Chronic under-investment has left critical gaps in our capabilities and readiness,” he says. Third challenge: the European defence equipment market remains highly fragmented, which leads to inefficiencies, duplication of efforts and lack of interoperability. “Our defence capabilities are lagging behind,” he says. Fourth challenge: Adversaries and strategic rivals are rapidly outpacing Europe, with Russia and China seeing substantial increases in the defence budgets over the past two decades. “It looks like Russia in 2025 in purchasing power parity terms for military needs, will spend more than all the EU 27,” he says.

18:42 Kubilius: A possible first-ever commissioner for defence and space

Lithuania’s former two-time prime minister and current MEP, Andrius Kubilius has been tasked by Ursula von der Leyen to help create “a true European defence union.” The demands come at a critical time for Europe as the future US presidency under Donald Trump is unlikely to commit to its security and defence, while Russia’s war continues to rage in Ukraine. But big questions remain over possible competing interests with Nato, as well as how his portfolio will shape the European Union over the next few years. Never before has there been a commissioner for defence and space. “The mission letter tasks me to help Europe prepare itself for the most extreme military contingencies, which means to prepare for possibility of Russian aggression against EU member states,” he tells MEPs.

17:53 Kadis cites Greek mythology in conclusion

In his concluding speech, Kadis brought a touch of history — making reference to Greek mythology, citing “Okeanos Oceanus”, the personification of the ocean, seen by the ancient Greeks as an immense river that completely encircled the world.

“Oceanus legacy lives on today in the way we view the ocean as a vital source of life with enormous potential,” said the Cypriot commissioner nominee, noting that the ocean plays a big role in the livelihood of both costal communities and cultural heritage. Kadis also highlighted the maritime potential for the future of the EU. “The ocean holds immense potential for the European Union's competitiveness, growth, security and environmental stability.”

17:35 We’re on to Sikela’s concluding remarks

Sikela promises to protect the EU’s aid budget and ensure that it reflects the “geopolitical importance” of the bloc’s international partnerships. He earns a solid round of applause.

It’s been, for the most part, a solid but uninspiring performance, though that partly reflects the modest ambitions of the von der Leyen commission on development.

17:29 Kadis on Illegal fishing

As Kadis started the third phase of his hearing, one MEP asked him about his action plan for tackling illicit fishing. He reiterated "zero tolerance" and noted that the most effective instruments against illicit fisheries are to develop "stricter legislation" — stressing the importance to cooperate with the European Parliament.

17:22 Bullman back

Now Socialist group co-ordinator Udo Bullman is back, demanding that parliament has proper oversight of the Global Gateway projects. Sikela promises to take the matter up with the College of Commissioners.

17:15 Kadis in favour of renewing fisheries agreement with Morocco

Kadis was questioned by an MEP asking whether he envisaged renewing the agreement with Morocco and developing other similar agreement with the Saharawi? On which he answered positively, saying “the European Commission has a very fructifious [sic] relationship with Morocco.”

He added the Morocco-EU treaty was of “mutual benefit.” The fishery agreement with Morocco ended last year, after a duration of four years, and allowed European vessels with Moroccan permits to fish in Moroccan-controlled waters.

17:14 What about aid? 

Charles Goerens is back, quizzing Sikela on aid spending. He points out that many countries have reduced their development budget in recent years despite promising to spend 0.7 percent of GDP on aid. He asks Sikela what the commission will do to hold member states to their spending promises.

Sikela says that his experience of the Czech EU presidency was that member states need to be convinced that it is in their interests. “Promises should be fulfilled”, he says, adding that ”there must be a really extraordinary reason” not to.

17:05 Kadis 'they do not recognise borders' on invasive species

Kadis was questioned by an MEP on what would be done to protect against invasive species and to avoid the significant harm caused to fish stocks in the Mediterranean area in particular. Those animals "do not recognise any borders," he said. Kadis emphasised the need for EU member states to coordinate their efforts to combat invasive species, noting these species may potentially spread outside the Mediterranean region where they are the currently the most numerous.

16:51 Kadis supports aquaculture

Kadis was questioned about whether or not he supports aquaculture. He stated that after being elected, he will launch a European campaign to promote and present aquaculture in a more positive light throughout the EU.

"European consumers are a little bit sceptical when it comes to aquaculture and a bit too reluctant to buy aquaculture products, even though we know that the quality is very high," he said.

16:27 Kadis elusive on protecting marine biodiversity

On the question how he plans to protect marine biodiversity, the future designate commissioner for fisheries was more elusive — only stating that technical support exists to help member states. “There's a technical support, that's an implement that can be used by the member states,” he said.

16:19 Sikela under pressure on Rwanda deal

Sikela may be causing himself a problem with his stance on the EU-Rwanda minerals deal. After another critical question about human rights abuses from Italian socialist Marco Tarquinio, Patriots MEPs Thierry Mariani points to a UN report which found that Rwandan forces were seizing minerals in DR Congo and selling them on to the EU. He asks Sikela to promise to amend the pact with Rwanda.

Sikela is now back-tracking but appears to have been poorly briefed on the issue.

16:16 Kadis invited to Galicia

A Spanish MEP stressed the issues of the northwest Spanish region, stating that “there are 120,000 [fishermen] in the region which are active” in the region. “So it's necessary to understand what the problems are of these people — come to Galicia, come designated commissioner” said the Spanish MEP. On which Kadis promised he would come to the Spanish region to see exactly what were the issues there.

16:10 Rwanda

Green MEP Mounir Satouri says that the EU’s minerals deal with Rwanda is leading to war crimes, pointing to the Rwandan government’s support for militia groups pillaging resources in eastern DR Congo. Sikela says the information he has seen suggests that the situation is “not so dramatic”. The deal with Rwanda is “one of the good co-operations in Africa,” he adds.

16:07 The China price

Many EU lawmakers are worried about China and Helmut Geuking, a German EPP MEP, asks how the EU can ensure that its money does not end up in the hands of China. Sikela says that sometimes the EU is funding projects where Chinese suppliers are used because they offer the lowest prices. He adds that these procurement rules need to be changed. Chinese offers tend to be lower than European tenders.

16:04 Kadis on relations with UK fishing industry (again)

Now Kadis is asked by a French MEP from Renew what he will do to ensure EU, and French fishing fleets especially, have a fair access to UK waters. “I won't stand back” he said on this matter.

15:56 Kadis' 'holistic' approach to save Baltic Sea

Kadis claims he will use an holistic approach to fight the degradation of the Baltic Sea.“There are lot of factors that degraded the environment. So we need a holistic approach in order to to secure the recovery of the area, which are the measures,” he said. “I will dedicate much of my effort to the recovery of the Baltic Sea."

15:51 No EU development bank

Now Sikela is asked if he will support the creation of an EU development bank? Sikela says the EU needs to better utilise the institutions it already has, pointing to the European Investment Bank. He says one of his first tasks will be to meet the president of the EIB Nadia Calviño.

15:46 Parliament demands more oversight of Global Gateway projects.

Polish centre-left MEP Robert Biedroń says that the parliament needs to be involved more in the design of Global Gateway. He says there needs to be an audit and scrutiny body to cover all Global Gateway projects. Sikela slightly fudges his reply, saying that he wants to have very close contact with the parliament. I have “no problem” with such scrutiny, he says, but that they need to agree on the format and level of granularity involved in such information exchange.

15:38 Kadis 'will not shy away' from review of fishery policies

Questioned on the review of the Common Fisheries Policy (CFP), Kadis said “if this exercise points out to weaknesses, I will propose measures to address these weaknesses, and I will not shy away.”

15:36 Sikela promises to be 'very careful steward' of EU money

European of Sovereign Nations MEP, Marc Jongen, is asking about control of EU cash and the sums lost to corruption. Sikela says that he will be “a very careful steward” of EU money when it comes to funding being lost to graft. He has promised greater “efficiency” in EU development spending several times already.

15:32 Global Gateway - neo-colonialism? 

Now Sikela is being asked about the EU’s strategy on critical raw materials. Spanish leftist MEP Isabel Serra Sanchez asks if Global Gateway is being used to promote European companies’ interests and a neo-colonial agenda.

The Czech nominee replies that if the EU fails to counter China in DRCongo, Beijing will quickly control most of the world’s cobalt production.

15:31 On the Baltic Sea

Emma Wiesner, Swedish MEP, questioned the designate commissioner on his plan for the Baltic, highlighting that the Baltic Sea's environment and fish populations are on the edge of collapse, while the EU allowed fishing quotas to be doubled this year, indicating that “the CFP is not doing enough,” she said.

“I could say that we are not at the highest standards,” said the former professor of biodiversity conservation. “We will fully respect the scientific advice in the scientific community,” adding that this will be one of the main priorities during his mandate. But, on the question whether or not the future commissioner plans to review the Baltic Sea map for fisheries, he answered.“It will not necessarily include new legislative action."

15:19 Sikela quizzed on debt relief

Luxembourgish liberal MEP Charles Goerens says that it would be a mistake to think that the EU has a good reputation in Africa. Russia, Turkey, China are present in Africa. Debt is taking on huge proportions, he says. He asks Sikela if he will promote an initiative to cancel debt if China does the same.

“We can start to discuss debt relief but we have to engage other G7 lenders,” replies Sikela. ”If we have agreement with our allies we can force China to follow”.

15:17 Kadis on relations with UK fishing industry

Costas Kadis was questioned on the relationship with the United Kingdom fisheries. Fishing rights offshore the UK and in the North Sea have been under intense strain in recent years, with Brexit in 2020 causing severe disagreements, particularly between France and the UK.

Kadis replied: “We need to strengthen our relations with the United Kingdom, and this is what I will try to do. I will try to have a positive agenda with the UK.” But, EU fishing come first, “what I can assure you is that our decisions will place the European fishers [fleets] in the centre and their interests in the centre of our attention,” added the Cypriot commissioner designate.

15:08 The EU's 'listening capacities'

German social democrat Udo Bullman MEP asks Sikela how the Global Gateway can be better implemented? How do we enhance our listening capacities for the needs of partner countries?, he asks? Sikela says more contact with local institutions is needed. “We are talking about a relationship of equals,” he says. Communication with local partners needs to be “on a daily basis”, he adds.

15:00 Costa Kadis hearing opens

The Cypriot designate commissioner for fisheries in his opening speech attempts to demonstrate he is suited for the job using his national background. “I want them to know that they will have a champion in me,” he said.“because I am one of them [the costal communities], an islander from Cyprus,” he added proudly.

14:58 Sikela focuses on the Gateway 

Former Czech trade minister Jozef Sikela’s hearing with the parliament’s development committee has started. Sikela has been nominated to replace Jutta Urpilainen as the EU’s international partnerships commissioner.

His opening remarks have a heavy focus on Global Gateway, the EU’s infrastructure investment fund which, Sikela says,”can address the root causes of irregular migration” pointing to “investment in economic development, opportunities...creating jobs”.

“Our partners want more from Europe,” he says, but — in an allusion to China and Russia — “lately they have received more from assertive actors with an aggressive approach but little development focus.”

12:35 Lahbib: Hearing too short? Well, no

In her final remarks, Lahbib stated that the hearing was too short for her - though journalists covering it would likely disagree. Given her broad portfolio, she told MEPs that implementation would be at the heart of her mandate. She pledged to fight against inequalities and to ensure that people can live in safety. “This safety starts with strengthening our preparedness and resilience,” she said. She also reiterated her strong commitment to enhancing humanitarian aid efforts and reinforcing conflict prevention measures, emphasising their critical importance in addressing global crises. “You can count on my full commitment, determination, and strength to support those in need, both within our border but also beyond”. And that's all from the Belgian commissioner wannabe.

12:13 Albuquerque hearing over

Well, that's it folks. MEPs will now decide on Albuquerque's fate and probably announce her appointment soon.

11:52 Albuquerque: Money laundering - what will you do?

S&D MEP Marina Kaljurand asked how the commissioner would ensure that the EU’s new anti-money laundering body is set up quickly and "has sufficient resources to carry out its tasks." “It takes time to set up such an authority,” said Albuquerque, pointing out that the information technology needed to track international financial crime is “very, very demanding,” meaning it may take a while before the EU agency begins operations.

11:46 Albuquerque: Crypto influencers are misleading consumers

Greens MEP Anna Cavazzini asked Albuquerque whether, in the context of the upcoming financial literacy strategy aimed at improving EU citizens' financial savvy, she would consider addressing the misinformation spread by crypto-influencers on social media. “This risk needs to be addressed,” said Albuquerque, but she also suggested that crypto misinformation should be tackled by other commissioners as well. “These products also reach children, very young children,” she said, adding that she would be working on the topic with Henna Virkkunen, the Finnish executive vice-presidential hopeful, who will be responsible for 'technology sovereignty,' security, and democracy. While she was unclear on what specific measures she would take, Albuquerque pledged to take the issue seriously.

11:44 Lahbib calls to respect American election result

Lahbib avoided directly responding to questions about how she would deal with Donald Trump, should he be confirmed president of the US. “Whatever the result is, we must show our respect for the decision taken by the American people,” the Belgian candidate said, adding that the US election campaign had been somehow “polarised” in terms of gender, which is “a pity”, she said.

11:27 Lahbib as a ‘bridge builder’

The Belgian commissioner candidate said her work will involve collaborating with 14 other commissioners, which will mean working closely with policymakers from different political families. But she said she was ready for the challenge. “I’ve made myself known as someone who is a bridge builder, and that is the approach that I will defend in this future commission,” Lahbib told MEPs.

11:14 Lahbib on conversion practices

In the next LGBTIQ strategy, expected in early 2025, Lahbib committed to developing policies which raise awareness and fight against conversion policies in EU member states. “Conversion practices are anything except therapies because there is no illness to be treated. These are traumatising therapies … [which] lead to broken persons,” she said. According to a study by the EU Parliament, it is estimated that around five percent of LGBTI+ individuals have been offered conversion practices, and two percent have undergone them. Currently, there is an ongoing European Citizens’ Initiative urging the EU Commission to ban these practices. But health policies remain a competence of EU member states. 

11:10 Albuquerque: Securitisation was badly used in the past, but …

In her mission letter to Albuquerque, EU Commission president Ursula von der Leyen called for expanding securitisation in the banking sector to increase the amount of available private finance.

Securitisation refers to the process of converting and repackaging illiquid assets (such as loans, mortgages, or receivables) into securities that can be traded in financial markets and used as collateral for new loans, thus expanding the size of financial markets. Excessive use of this method, coupled with poor oversight - partly due to corporate capture of the agencies tasked with overseeing banks, and partly due to the increasing complexity of securitised assets - was a key factor in the financial crisis.

In her response to MEPs' questions, Albuquerque acknowledged the risks, but expressed a willingness to expand securitisation: “Securitisation was badly used in the past, but it is an important tool to free up space on bank balance sheets,” she said. “The problem is not the instrument, but how it is used.” She will hold a consultation with banks and other "stakeholders" and said it was "too early to tell" how the role of securitisation will develop.

11:02 Lahbib on UNRWA and children in Gaza

Lahbib said she is committed to supporting UNRWA, since the UN agency is considered the only organisation which right now can provide humanitarian aid and essentials for Palestinians. But she also acknowledged that access to humanitarian aid is “a real problem” in the region. “My priority will be to continue to deliver the necessary aid to the population which has been caught up as victims in this conflict, particularly the children who are currently deprived of their second dose of polio [vaccines],” she said.

10:55 Albuquerque grilled on financialisation of homes

Greens MEP Maria Toussaint raised the increasing financialisation of housing, which she warned is pushing housing prices up across Europe. “As you know, 50 percent of homes are owned by large private investors, which increases the risk of housing bubbles,” she said, and “aggressive rental policies” of such investors are increasing the price of homes. But she pointed out that "the financialisation of the housing sector is currently not included in the EU’s financial regulation plans". She wanted to know if the new commissioner was sensitive to the risk and had concrete plans to address it. “I think that financial markets can actually help,” said Albuquerque, signalling she had no plans to limit the role of private investors in the sector. “That being said, if confirmed, I am more than happy to consider measures,” she added. A recent study of 13 cities by the London School of Economics found that financialisation “generally” leads to the kind of investments that push up rents “at the expense mainly of lower-income households.”

10:54 Lahbib wants more LGBTIQ-friendly cities

In her post-2025 strategy, Lahbib said she would like to see more LGBTIQ-friendly cities in Europe. “This is something positive, something inclusive, which we can do rather than just reacting to violence. I mean, the two things need to happen in parallel,” she said, arguing that events, such as pride marches, can help make such committees “be more visible and more at ease”.

10:47 Lahbib says current humanitarian aid system is 'not sustainable'

We are over halfway through the hearing and Lahbib is doing well. She noted that 90 percent of humanitarian aid comes from just 20 member states. “That is not sustainable,” she said, arguing that OECD countries, the G20, and Gulf countries should also contribute. “Anybody who wants to play a role on the international stage should participate in providing humanitarian aid,” she also said. If confirmed, which now seems likely, she also stated that she will "help" member states fulfil their commitments to allocate 0.07 percent of their GDP to humanitarian aid. This promise was made in 2023.

10:33 Lahbib on surrogacy and children rights

When far-right MEP and former Frontex chief Fabrice Leggeri accused Lahbib of supporting surrogacy, the Belgian commissioner candidate stated that this is a competence of EU member states. Regarding children's rights, which can result from surrogacy, she said that there are differences in legislation within the EU that lead to more inequalities, particularly regarding children. "It is important that these children enjoy the same rights as any other child, regardless of who their parents are, and that is a fundamental right," she said.

10:26 Albuquerque: not deregulation but streamlining

Responding to repeated questions about her plans for simplifying green financial reporting rules, Albuquerque said that it is “not about deregulation” but “making sure” existing regulations are better implemented, correcting overlaps between rules, and “streamlined.”

10:22 Lahbib's past as a journalist triggers questions on Crimea

In 2021, as a journalist for the Belgian radio-TV RTBF, Lahbib reported from Crimea, a region under illegal Russian occupation since 2014. However, MEPs accused her of lacking objectivity and of reporting that Crimea was part of Russia. “There is no doubt … since I've been a foreign affairs minister, I've defended the sovereignty of Crimea [as] being part of Ukraine,” she said. “I went there to report on the situation of artists in difficult situations. I wasn't invited by [Russian president Vladimir] Putin. I was invited by an artist who lives in Belgium,” she added, rejecting accusations that her trip was funded by Putin's daughter. Lahbib is responding to all the questions in French, showing noticeably more confidence and assertiveness than in her earlier English introductory remarks. Lahbib, who studied journalism in Brussels, worked as a journalist, reporter, news anchor, manager, and documentary maker from 1993 until 2022.

10:18 Albuquerque: MEP warns deregulating financial markets a risk

"We welcome her [Albuquerque's] commitment to the swift implementation of the Basel III rules,” said Greens MEP Rasmus Andersen. “But competitiveness should not come at the expense of financial stability," he added. “We are also deeply concerned about the pressure for higher returns and the financialisation of housing markets,” he said. "There should be no reckless deregulation of financial markets,” he warned, as this had led to the 2008 financial crisis, he added.

10:16 Albuquerque: incomplete banking union a ‘disadvantage’

Europe faces a problem with its unfinished banking union, which is making it harder for companies to access financing for their projects, Albuquerque said. “It is now time to get together and complete it,” she said.

10:02 Lahbib's response on abortion rights earns applause

Reflecting on Lahbib’s introductory remarks, Abir Al-Sahlani, an Iraqi-born Swedish liberal MEP, also shared her experience before asking her question: “I was too not supposed to be here and not even to survive, but here we are, crossing one glass ceiling at a time”. When asked by Abir if she would work to include the right of abortion in the EU Charter of Fundamental Rights, Lahbib smartly referred to a ruling from the European Court of Human Rights in 2023 that stated that the lack of safe and secure access to abortion was an attack on individual private rights and the rights of the family. “We are all subject to that decision, and that is a foundation, we can build on,” she said, receiving a round of applause. “Women's bodies have always been a battlefield in the fight for gender equality, and I will continue to fight this fight,” the Belgian candidate also said.

09:56 Albuquerque: implement Basel III 'without delay'

Greens MEP Kira Marie Peter-Hansen congratulated commissioner hopeful Albuquerque but called on her to fully implement Basel III banking regulations immediately and “without further delay." Basel III is an internationally agreed set of measures meant to prevent a repeat of the 2007-2009 financial crisis. Published in 2010, it was meant to come into force in 2013, but elements of it have since been postponed multiple times. “For us, it is very important to have a robust financial system that can withstand shocks,” Albuquerque said. “I really meant what I said; financial stability is absolutely key. That means Basel III has to be implemented,” she added, but said European banks should not be disadvantaged compared to international competitors, adding that a “level playing field” must be ensured.

09:37 Lahbib’s to-do list

In her introductory remarks, Lahbib pledged to protect the rights of people with disabilities, Roma communities, and LGTBI and women's rights.

She also suggested creating a strong EU preparedness strategy, looking into whether a preparedness law could be helpful, along with strengthening the European Civil Defence Mechanism. The flash floods in Valencia are “yet another terrible demonstration that we need to be better prepared for disasters,” she said.

With armed conflicts on the rise, currently totalling 120 worldwide, Lahbib stated that, if confirmed, she would strengthen humanitarian aid and address gaps in Europe’s response, while respecting the voluntary targets set by member states. “It is about our international humanitarian commitments, but also about our own security,” she said.

09:35 Albuquerque: starts off deeply pessimistic

Portugal’s financial-services commissioner hopeful Maria Luis Albuquerque kicked off her three-hour parliamentary hearing with a dour, pessimistic warning about Europe’s future. “There can be no doubt that Europe’s economy is falling behind,” she said. “I fear Europe is losing the ability to decide its own future.” But recent reports by former European Central Bank president Mario Draghi and Italy’s former prime minister Enrico Letta “shed light” on what needs to be done,” she said, offering some hope.

09:13 Lahbib’s hearing kicks off

Hadja Lahbib’s hearing begins with a minute of silence to honour the victims of the devastating floods in Valencia, showing solidarity with those affected in the region. The liberal politician, of Algerian Kabyle origin, who had been serving as Belgium’s foreign minister since July 2022, could soon make history as the first-ever EU commissioner who is also a person of colour.

In her introductory remarks, Lahbib shared her personal journey. "Nothing predestined me to stand here in front of you,” she said, arguing that she was not expected to go to university or become a war reporter or a minister. “Why do I tell you my story? Because it's a European story”, she added. “These are the European values that have made me who I am: a steadfast believer in a society free from discrimination and free from inequality,” she also said, noting that many people in the EU faced discrimination on a daily basis.

8:30 Watch out for 'revolving doors' and Várhelyi

Portugal’s Maria Luís Albuquerque, nominated to oversee financial services, has already raised concerns over potential conflict of interests due to her ties to the financial sector and her 2015 move from the Portuguese ministry of finance to a non-executive director role at UK-based Arrow Global. For more background on Albuquerque, check out this oped by Maria van der Heide, head of EU policy at ShareAction.

Similarly, Czech commissioner nominee Jozef Sikela, appointed to be in charge of the €300bn Global Gateway, brings nearly a decade of experience from his tenure at Erste Group, one of central and eastern Europe’s largest financial services providers. Don’t miss this piece by our reporter Benjamin Fox to help you get ready for the hearing.

Keep an eye on Hungary’s commissioner-designate Olivér Várhelyi, tapped for health and animal welfare, who might have a tough time reaching the two-thirds majority he needs. His hearing runs from 18:30 to 21:30, and you can bet abortion rights will be a hot topic. Várhelyi is also likely to be questioned about his 9 October announcement on X, where he suspended all payments to Palestinians under the EU's development portfolio without first consulting other senior officials inside the bloc's executive, in a widely criticised move. He also called MEPs "idiots" in an open mike moment in February 2023.